Vacuum cleaner support



July 5, 1938. B. A. BAXTER 2,122,632

VACUUM CLEANER SUPPORT Filed Jan. 10. 1936 FF g.E-

IN V ENTOR. BHB/IXTER ATTORNEX.

Patented July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to supports for vacuum cleaners.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting means for supporting a vacuum cleaner so that it may be readily transported.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner including a heavy end having a motor therein and a lighter end having a dust receptacle therein with a roller mounted under the heavy motor end and with a skid device mounted on the lighter receptacle end.

Other objects and the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing a vacuum cleaner with my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 3 is an end view showing my invention;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing one of the skids;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of Fig. 4; and i Fig. 6 is a central, sectional view through one of the rollers showing the manner in which it is mounted.

This invention is a continuation in part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 711,145, filed February 14, 1934. Now'Patent No. 2,030,133, granted February 11, 1936.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have shown my invention as embodied in j a vacuum cleaner indicated generally at H). As shown the cleaner includes a body II which comprises a receptacle l2 at one end and a motor housing I3 at the other end. The receptacle I2 is preferably made of sheet metal bent to form a plane wall portion l2 and an arcuate wall portion I2. The receptacle l2 has an angular ring l4 secured in the upper end thereof by bolts IS. The ring is rabbeted as at I6 to receive a flange H to which a fabric dirt bag B is secured.

The ring I4 is provided with a closure portion 18 from which an offset conduit l9 extends. This conduit is provided with a cylindrical end portion 20 in which the skirt 2| of a cap 22 is fitted. The cap 22 has a tubular member 23 mounted to swivel thereon and a hose 24 is connected to the tubular member 23.

In the receptacle wall portion I2 I provide a foraminous partition 25 over which aguard member 26 made of cloth is arranged. This guard member 26 has a peripheral metallic rim 21 which is held by a suitable clamping member 28 in such a manner that it can be readily removed when desired.

A guard member 29 made of wire bent to substantially inverted U-shape is secured at the bottom of the receptacle [2 and projects upwardly in front of the guard member 26, to prevent-the bag B from being drawn against the guard memher.

A motor 30 is suitably mounted in the motor housing l3 and is connected by leads 3| with the switch 32 from which a power cable 33 extends. The motor housing I3 is preferably cylindrical in cross-section and is provided at its front end with a collar 34 which is rabbeted as at 35.

On this rabbeted portion a filtering disk 36 is supported and is engaged by a flange 31 on a closure member 38 which closure member includes a discharge orifice 39.

The armature shaft of motor 30 is provided with a fan 40 which may be of suitable configuration. The forward end of the body is provided with a pair of skid members 4| which are arranged under the dust bag receptacle l2 and with a pair of rollers 42 which are arranged under the heavier motor end on the housing [3. The rollers 42 are held in place by bearing supporting members 42 which also serve as guards to protect the wheels against striking furniture. The construction is such that by pulling on the hose 24 which is attached to the lighter forward end of the cleaner this end will be lifted slightly so that the entire structure can be readily moved about. A rubber bumper 42 extends around the receptacle [2. The rear end of the body has a handle bracket 43 secured thereto. This handle bracket engages one end of a handle 44 and is secured thereto by a screw 45. The other end of the handle member engages the upper end of the receptacle wall portion l2 and is secured thereto by a screw 46.

The closure portion I8, the cap. 22, the closure member 38 and the fitting which is inserted in the orifice 39 are each held in place by a quick detachable coupling which includes a fixed member 41 under which a portion of the flange of the closure is inserted and a pair of clamping members 48. Each clamping member includes a central pivot 49 and a rotatable finger portion 50, the under surface of which is inclined as is shown at 5|. This inclined portion 5| slides over the adjacent portion of the closure flange to hold the parts assembled. Stop members 52 may be employed to limit the movement of the arms 50. A

U-shaped clip 52' is mounted on the body to receive the hose 24.

The dirt bag B may be provided with an annular ringlike member 58, which serves to hold the bag in its normal operating position and which facilitates insertion and removal of the bag.

This ring 58 is of smaller diameter than the' mouth of the receptacle I2 and the bag preferably tapers to facilitate inserting and removing the bag and also enables the bag to be readily turned inside out when discharging its contents.

In the drawing I show a nozzle 59 secured to t the hose 24. In operation the motor is started and the nozzle is moved over the surface to be cleaned.

To empty the dust bag the closure is removed and the dust bag turned upside down. Due to its tapered construction and the weighted member in the dust bag the latter will turn inside out thus enabling it to be easily emptied without greatly disturbing the contents. When the operator is through cleaning the hose is arranged so that cleaner which is highly efficient in use and which can be economically manufactured.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A vacuum cleaner housing having a plane bottom, said housing being wider at one end than at the other end, an axle at each side of the housing on the narrow portion thereof, a wheel supported on each of said axles to support the bulk of the weight of the housing, the outer surface of said wheels being substantially in alignment with the outer surface of the wider portion of the housing, a guard about each wheel, each of said guards including a main body portion extending parallel to the sides of the housing, each of said guards including a front end portion engaging the housing and slanting in a forward direction relative to the housing so as to prevent interference with forward movement of the housing on contact with an object and to prevent damage to objects contacted, said housing also including a pair of skids mounted on the lower surface of the wider portion of the housing and adjacent the center of the wider portion, one of said skids being disposed at each side of the housing, said skids having their outer surfaces disposed within the plane of the sides of the wider portion of the housing and rounded whereby they glide easily onto the loose edges of rugs without requiring lifting of the housing to avoid catching.

BERRY A. BAXTER. 

